‘Incredibles 2’ Hitting Theaters a Year Early, ‘Toy Story 4’ Pushed Back to 2019

“The Incredibles 2” will hit theaters a year before it was originally slated, while “Toy Story 4” will move from 2018 to 2019, Pixar said Wednesday.

The two animated films will switch release dates. “The Incredibles 2” will debut on June 15, 2018 — the same day that “Toy Story 4” was originally slated to bow in theaters. “Toy Story 4” will then move to June 21, 2019, filling a slot that “The Incredibles” follow-up was supposed to occupy. Both films will have their dates entirely to themselves. The new “Incredibles” will premiere between the releases of “Transformers 6” and the sequel to “Jurassic World.” “Toy Story 4” will bow between an untitled DC Comics film and “Transformers 7.”

Brad Bird will return to the director’s chair for “The Incredibles 2.” The first film earned $633 million worldwide in 2004 and won an Oscar for best animated feature. “Toy Story 4” will bring back original stars Tom Hanks and Tim Allen. “Toy Story 3” remains Pixar’s highest-grossing film, having made $1.1 billion globally.

After initially resisting the franchise business, Pixar has shown more of a willingness to produce sequels to its movies. The studio has made follow-ups to “Cars,” “Monsters, Inc.,” and “Finding Dory.” The studio also has “Cars 3” on tap for 2017.

Disney has enviable fire power, having spent billions to buy Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. The studio tops in market share this year thanks to hits such as “The Jungle Book,” “Captain America: Civil War,” and “Finding Dory.”

And when will Wreck-It Ralph 2 be hitting the theaters? Have to admit I didn’t think the story idea would work; an arcade game villain turns into a hero. But when I actually saw it, it was hilarious, and a good family movie.

Except sequels make big money. The two biggest domestic movies this year-Captain America: Civil War and Finding Dory-are sequels and it’s only a matter of time until Star Wars takes over the number one spot. Last year? The Force Awakens, Jurassic World, Minions, Fast and The Furious 7, etc. As long as audiences reward sequels with billion dollar grosses, Hollywood will keep making them.

The paragraph stating “The studio has made follow-ups to “Cars,” “Monsters, Inc.,” and “Finding Dory” should read “Finding Nemo.” As in “The studio has made follow-ups to “Cars,” “Monsters, Inc.,” and “Finding Nemo.” Which is Finding Dory, obviously.